The iKON Awards took its creative exchange to Mbale on September 26, bringing filmmakers from the Elgon region together for an evening of networking, storytelling, music and conversations about the future of Uganda’s film industry.
The inaugural iKON Society Creative Exchange created space for filmmakers to share experiences, discuss challenges and explore how they can use existing systems to strengthen their craft and reach wider audiences. It also gave the iKON Awards team an opportunity to connect directly with creatives beyond Kampala.
For many of the filmmakers in attendance, the gathering was about more than simply meeting fellow creatives. It was a chance to compare experiences, learn from one another and consider how stronger connections within the industry can open doors that individual creatives might struggle to open alone.
Among those who attended were John Elijah of Black Golden Films, Mugoya Tommy Ticher of Weele Paapa Productions, Khakisa Irene and Gyabi Masumba of Nishosho, Zaki Chris of Shinali Films/GTS, Namboyo Isaiah of Mooni Films, Wesamoyo Douglas of SDS Entertainment, Christopher Khaukha of Mishtar Productions and Nagudi Doreen Joan of Gudi Zone Filmz, among others.
Humphrey Nabimanya, founder and CEO of the iKON Awards, used the gathering to reinforce the importance of creating a stronger sense of community within Uganda’s creative sector.
“We want to create a sense of belonging for filmmakers and those within the wider film ecosystem,” Nabimanya said, adding that greater openness to learning from one another’s experiences could create more opportunities across the industry.
The evening also came with a significant announcement. Nabimanya revealed that the iKON Film Fund is taking shape as a new financing initiative aimed at supporting regional filmmakers and helping unlock greater private investment in Uganda’s film sector.
Created by Reach A Hand Africa through the iKON Awards ecosystem, the fund will focus on stories rooted in Ugandan culture and Pan-African values. The initiative is expected to provide structured support for filmmakers documenting Uganda’s heritage, traditions and cultural identity.
A call for submissions will soon be issued, inviting filmmakers within regional guilds to submit proposals for films built around culture, tradition and heritage.
The announcement adds another layer to the growing iKON Society, a membership and subscription-based community for filmmakers, actors and other creatives connected to the iKON Awards in Uganda and across Africa.
The Mbale exchange therefore becomes part of a broader effort to move conversations about Uganda’s film industry beyond awards nights and into spaces where creatives can build relationships, share knowledge and develop practical opportunities.
The journey continues on December 12, when the fourth iKON Awards will take place at Kampala Serena Hotel under the theme “Beyond Borders.” The ceremony will build on the collaborations and networks developed through the iKON Activate engagements and the growing iKON Society community.
For the filmmakers who gathered in Mbale, however, the most important part may not have been the ceremony itself. It was the reminder that Uganda’s film story does not belong to Kampala alone.